Good & Green: Eco Made Easy

New resource-conscious kitchen and bath wares

These earth-friendly newcomers are welcome additions to any home. View all the latest finds in our slideshow, or select from the list below to see a particular product.

Water-Saving DishwasherBosch's latest Energy Star–compliant dishwasher, the Integra, uses as little as 3.1 gallons of water per wash thanks to the SensoTronic technology that adapts machine water levels to soil content. Dual-Flush Toilets Water-saving commodes have gone mainstream, so to speak, with several companies debuting models with two-part flush controls on the tank—one button for the standard 1.6-gallon flush and a second trigger that uses considerably less water.

Thrifty Laundry MachinesAgitator-free, front-loading washers and dryers have become immensely popular thanks to their energy savings and style. This year, several companies have made strides to increase performance and efficiency. Hands-Free FaucetAdmit it, you're occasionally guilty of letting the water run while you brush your teeth. A faucet with an infrared sensor that turns the spigot on only when you place an object in front of it might be for you. Paper CountertopCounters made of paper might seem like a sketchy idea, but Kliptech's new PaperStone Certified composite surfacing has the strength of steel, the beauty of stone, and the warmth of wood.

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Low-Flow Showerheads

Tankless Water HeatersAlso called an "on demand" water heater, a tankless heater attaches to the home's plumbing system and warms water (using electric, gas, or propane power) only when it is needed.[link href="http://www.elledecor.com/article.asp?section_id=25&article;_id=557&page;_number=2" link_updater_label="internal"]

Tankless Water Heaters Also called an "on demand" water heater, a tankless heater attaches to the home's plumbing system and warms water (using electric, gas, or propane power) only when it is needed. This eliminates standby losses—energy wasted by heating water and keeping it warm while it sits unused in a storage tank. Programmable, the tankless unit, which is about the size of carry-on luggage, gives the user the ability to control water temperature in different locations throughout the house; installing one qualifies homeowners for a $300 federal energy tax credit. Rheem makes tankless propane and gas models that can be hooked up indoors or outdoors. They come in three capacities: The largest, a 7.4-gallon-per-minute (gpm) whole-house unit provides enough water to run three showers simultaneously. 800-621-5622, Rheem.com. The largest unit offered by Rinnai Continuum provides up to 8.5 gpm; the smaller model, 5.3 gpm. Both can be installed indoors or out. 800-621-9419, [link href="http://www.foreverhotwater.com/" target="_blank" link_updater_label="external"]foreverhotwater.com

HOW A TANKLESS WATER HEATER WORKS 1. Open hot-water tap. 2. Cold water enters unit. 3. Fan turns on. 4. Gas enters unit. 5. Burner turns on. 6. Cold water is heated in the heat exchanger. 7. Hot water is mixed with bypassed cold water for final outlet temperature.

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